THE SURGICAL TEAM

The operating room team consists of all members of the OR specialist who usually
performs preparation of the patient's skin the day before the surgery; the specialist who
puts up the packs that are used for the operation; the specialist who selects the set of
instruments; and the specialist who sterilizes the supplies used for the surgery. Other
team members who may not necessarily be in the OR during an operation are the chief
of department of surgery, the chief of anesthesiology and operative services, and the
OR supervisor. The surgical team is the group of people in the immediate area during a
surgical procedure. This includes the surgeon and one or more assistants (depending
on the complexity of the case), the anesthetist, the nurse or specialist performing the
scrub duties, and the nurse or specialist performing circulating duties.

STERILE TEAM
 Members of this team
scrub their hands and
arms, don sterile
gown and gloves, and
enter the sterile field.
the sterile field is the
area of the operating
room that immediately
surrounds and is
especially prepared
for the patient. to
maintain a sterile
field, all items needed
for the operation are sterilized. therefore, the scrubbed, sterile team members function
within this limited area and handle only sterile items.

UNSTERILE TEAM
Members of the unsterile team do not enter the sterile field but they function outside and
around it. they are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the sterile field but they
handle supplies and equipment that are not considered sterile. using the principle of
asepsis, they keep the sterile team with supplies, give direct patient care, and handle
other requirements that may arise during the operation.

SURGEON (Sterile Team)

The surgeon is the leader of the surgical team and has the ultimate responsibility for
performing the surgery in an effective and safe manner. He/she is dependent upon
other members of the team for the patient's emotional well-being and physiologic
monitoring.

Main Responsibilities:

 in charge of the treatment given to the patient during the course of an operation
 surgeon may be assisted by other medical officers and OR specialist assigned to
the case.

ASSISTANT TO THE SURGEON (Sterile Team)

Main Responsibilities:

 Under the direction of the operating surgeon, one or two assistants help to
maintain visibility of the surgical site, control bleeding, close wounds, and apply
dressing.
 Handles tissues & uses instruments
 Anticipates blood loss, anesthesia time for patient, fatigue affecting OR team &
potential complications

SCRUB NURSE (Sterile Team)

 Scrub is the term used to
designate the member of
the surgical team who
assists the surgeon by
providing sterile
instruments, suture, and
supplies within the sterile
field.

Main responsibilities:

 performs a surgical scrub

 puts on sterile gown and gloves
 checks internal sterilization indicator controls
 prepares prep set first
 separates and arranges sterile basins
 arranges linen on double-ring stand next to sterile basins
 drapes Mayo stand
 arranges instruments and sterile supplies on back table and Mayo tray
 prepares suture material
 counts sponges with circulator (witnessed by registered nurse)
 gowns and gloves the surgeon
 when ready to begin assisting the surgeon, moves Mayo stand into position
 passes instruments, sponges, supplies, and sutures to surgeon
 anticipates the surgeon's needs
 removes loose sponges from operative area as necessary
 recounts sponges with circulator
 assists surgeon with dressing sponges
 moves sterile tables away from operating table
  remains sterile until patient leaves the room
 prepares instruments and supplies, used and unused, for clean up
 removes supplies from room and puts them in proper places
 assists circulator in preparing for next operation

Anesthesiologist (Unsterile Team)

The anesthesiologist/anesthetist must be constantly aware of the surgeon's actions.

He/she must do everything possible to ensure the safety of the patient and reduce the
stress of the operation.

Main responsibilities:
  administers all anesthetics except when local anesthesia is given by the surgeon

 provides a smooth induction of the patient's anesthesia in order to prevent pain

 advises the surgeon of impending complications and independently intervenes as

necessary

 continuously monitors the physiologic status of the patient, including oxygen

exchange, circulatory functions, systemic circulation, and vital signs.

Circulating Nurse (Unsterile Team)

Member of the surgical team who works outside the sterile field, gives patient care,
provides needed supplies, and assists surgical team members in performing the
operation safely and expeditiously.

Other Responsibilities:

 damp dusts all equipment and wet - vacuums floor prior to a surgical procedure
 checks mechanical and electrical equipment
 assembles, arranges, and opens outer and inner wrappers of sterile supplies;
checks package integrity, expiration date, and appearance of the indicating tape
  assists with gowning of scrub and surgeon
 pours sterile solutions water and normal saline, and antibacterial solutions;
avoids splashing
 passes knife blades and suture to scrub
 passes additional supplies to the scrub as needed
 takes sponge count with scrub, records on sponge count on board
 assist anesthetist with moving and positioning patient
 places the restraining strap properly
 assist the surgeon with prep
 assists anesthetist in securing the drapes
 attaches suction tubing to machine
 remains alert to needs of the scrub
 assists scrub with the arrangement of draped furniture
 positions kick buckets for quick access
 focuses light on operative area
 prepares specimen for the laboratory
 passes dressing sponges to scrub
 prepares adhesive strips for dressing

Operating Room Supervisor (Unsterile Team)

Main Responsibilities:

 responsible for all the nursing functions performed by the OR personnel

 makes out the time schedule and the duty assignment roster for the OR staff
nurses within the operating suite
 formulates policy for nursing service personnel working in the OR